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01/20/2008 10:32:14 PM · #1 |
I have 2 1/2 year old triplets and a 16 month old. Ever tried to get a nice picture of FOUR toddlers???? Every picture I take with my P&S digital is about 2 seconds after the cute moment I was trying to capture. Then it takes forever before I can take the next shot. For this reason, and this reason only, I want to upgrade to a dSLR. I do not have time to take photography classes. I do not have time to play with lots of settings. I am never going to invest hundreds of dollars in tons of different lenses and flashes and so on.
99% of my pictures are going to be of moving children - either in the house or yard. Nothing exotic. But they will grow, and eventually I will be photographing soccer games and so on.
Can you tell me, if I just put the camera on AUTO, will I get better pictures with a Rebel or a D40? Switching lenses is just not going to happen for me. Can I get by with the 18-55mm kit lens, or am I really going to have to try and talk my husband into the 18-200VR (or whatever the Canon equivalent is).
Thank you so much for any help you can offer - it is much appreciated!
Message edited by author 2008-01-20 22:37:50. |
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01/20/2008 10:39:49 PM · #2 |
Either camera will give you great results. If you get the Canon, you might consider the 17-85 IS for some additional range, better optical performance and the IS, but the kit lens will serve if you use flash.
Speaking of flash, do yourself a *huge* favor and buy a flash that mounts to the hot shoe. Bounce that flash off the ceiling for those indoor kid shots, and you'll find that the quality of your results will improve tremendously. |
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01/20/2008 10:57:07 PM · #3 |
D40 with 18-200VR is your best bet IMO
Add SB400 too |
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01/20/2008 11:01:44 PM · #4 |
Stop trying to bombard the lady with lens promotions! mannnn
Honestly, if you don't plan on learning about photography, the only real difference you'll distinguish between your point and shoot and any dslr will be speed and better colours. You will not notice a difference between dslr's unless you spend a lot of time around them. |
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01/20/2008 11:02:51 PM · #5 |
I have a 2 and 3 year old and yes, they're hard to photograph. They are always moving. It's not about the camera (entirely). It's about the lens. You want something that'll give you a lot of light and can auto focus fast. I would also go with a zoom. No time to zoom with your feet and they move quick.
Sorry too, fast zooms are expensives. I would also go on the wider end for now (also not cheap).
Here's what I would do, buy a cheap body and spend your money on your lens. You can also buy a flash to help you get those quick pictures. Make sure your Canon lens has USM (that's basically means faster focusing).
If you can afford it, I would go with:
28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM
If you need something cheaper, go with 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
If you want to be daring, try the 28mm. It's a prime lens (no zooming), but it lets in a lot of light and has USM.
I'd recommend getting a flash, which ever you can afford. The 580 or the 430. Which ever you can afford.
Then be bad, be bold, go manual. Just set the camera to ISO 100, F4, 1/100sec and let the flash fill in the rest. Good luck.
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01/20/2008 11:08:57 PM · #6 |
The Rebel has an AUTO mode? Well, who'da thunk it? I've never used the Full Auto, but the Av and Tv have worked well for me.
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01/21/2008 08:51:46 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
do yourself a *huge* favor and buy a flash that mounts to the hot shoe. Bounce that flash off the ceiling for those indoor kid shots, and you'll find that the quality of your results will improve tremendously. |
Definitely good advice.
But, as Leroy jokes, Av and Tv are easy to familiarize yourself with, and in time you'll discover fun things to do with those modes. I.E. - use Av to select a large aperture (lowest f numbers, like f/2.8, or f/4.0) to blur the background.
You'll really enjoy a dSLR. Cheers!
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01/21/2008 10:12:46 AM · #8 |
Without selecting any camera or lens option adjustment is impossible, some choices have to be made - one usually has a subject to frame, one has to turn the camera on, and select a mode. Full Automation - A or AUTO on the mode dial does everything.
Fast, relatively accurate color balance, & focus (if a lens is used which is capable of auto focus).
Other Automation on the mode dial including AV, TV, P will provide:
Fast, relatively accurate color balance, & focus (if a lens is used which is capable of auto focus) with other selection options also available in these modes.
M Manual on the mode dial stands alone as the only non-automated mode selection.
A fast prime like a 28mm, with no zoom such as Nullix suggested will also make shooting faster.
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01/21/2008 12:40:46 PM · #9 |
Thank you all so much for your advice. I am off to research some of the lens & flashes you have referred to, to make sure that I can just buy these things once and be done. I really appreciate your help! I half-expected that I would be snubbed because I am not super-into photography, but you have all been so nice despite my ignorance!
Message edited by author 2008-01-21 12:51:17. |
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01/21/2008 01:54:08 PM · #10 |
Sorry - may I ask one more question? I found this website.
//reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/nikon-d40-w-18mm/4505-6501_7-32156779.html
If you page down to the graphs with the green bars, can you tell me if the differences between the Nikon D40 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi are enough that I should care? Will I notice it when chasing a child with the camera? |
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01/21/2008 02:34:19 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by MeganW:
If you page down to the graphs with the green bars, can you tell me if the differences between the Nikon D40 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi are enough that I should care? Will I notice it when chasing a child with the camera? |
The difference between the two is negligible.
More than startup time and shutter delay, a fast focus speed will be important for you to catch a fast subject. Usually those lenses with larger apertures (lower f/stop numbers) and those deemed USM/HSM will focus faster. Unless you want to focus manually - which a dSLR gives you the option. In general, the kit lenses are sub-par-to-par in this category, and prime lenses are quite fast. |
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01/21/2008 03:17:16 PM · #12 |
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is a great lens for a reasonable price, and it's a decent range for kid shooting unless you want to shoot them across a playground or something. Focuses fast, the f/2.8 really helps there.
R.
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01/22/2008 08:44:33 PM · #13 |
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01/23/2008 05:52:39 AM · #14 |
| Be aware that if you get an f1.4 or 1.8 50mm for the d40 it will not autofocus. I really like my d40x, it's my first DSLR and i've learned a great deal using it. They're very intuitive, easy to use cameras. |
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01/23/2008 06:09:19 AM · #15 |
If you are REALLY sure you don't want to be faffing with additional/different lenses, Why not consider on of these:
Canon G9
Or, the earlier Canon G7 if you can still get them?
All the convenience of a point and shoot, but with a hot shoe which will allow you to add a nice external flash for more power (And the ability to bounce your light) for indoor shots. Cheaper than a DSLR too.
You will also get much more range than you will with a Kit Lens on the starter DSLR's...
Worth a look I think.
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01/23/2008 07:26:23 AM · #16 |
if you are never going to change lenses / tske it off auto/program
i would strongly suggest a point & shoot with a hot shoe/external flash
you will save yourself 1000$, eliminate any dust issue, and learn
if after a 2+ years you feel like you've out grown it & are experimenting withthe other modes certainly upgrade then .. |
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01/23/2008 08:23:30 AM · #17 |
I have both D80 and a Canon G9--and I thought about a G9 for you here, too. You can add an external flash for much better indoor pictures. There is a little bit more shutter lag (time from when you press the button to when the camera actually opens the shutter) on the G9. I think it is still pretty fast, though. I would suggest going down to a store and playing a little with each one: see which one feels best to you, most intuitive, and cycles fast enough (gets ready for the next picture) for you. The Canon has a nice optical zoom range, too.
A nice advantage to an slr is that you can upgrade lenses later--you can get the shorter lens now for indoor and backyard photos. Then, when soccer games come along, you can get a longer zoom to help with that. Note that you can also add on a zoom adapter to the G9 if need be, too, so it will grow with you & the kids as well.
But seriously, get em in your hands and try them out in the store.
Message edited by author 2008-01-23 08:26:23. |
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01/23/2008 09:57:44 AM · #18 |
there are a lot of differences between the D40 and XTi, and the XTi is the better choice of those two. The 350XT is more comparable to the D40, and IMO still a better choice.
For what you're after the 350XT $469
or with the better lens (17-85 IS) for $999 here
for flash try the sigma EF500DG Super here
The canon 28-135 IS lens is fine for outdoor use, but the 28mm end is just NOT going to be wide enough indoors.
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01/23/2008 08:09:56 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by pix-al:
If you are REALLY sure you don't want to be faffing with additional/different lenses, Why not consider on of these:
Canon G9
Or, the earlier Canon G7 if you can still get them?
All the convenience of a point and shoot, but with a hot shoe which will allow you to add a nice external flash for more power (And the ability to bounce your light) for indoor shots. Cheaper than a DSLR too.
You will also get much more range than you will with a Kit Lens on the starter DSLR's...
Worth a look I think. |
Will that be as fast as a dSLR? Shutter lag and an inability to take multiple shots in a row are the main reason that I was getting a dSLR. Will the Canon G9 or G7 do that?
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01/23/2008 08:20:41 PM · #20 |
dpreview has a full review... though still has shutter lag as a con but better on the G9 than the G7
//www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/ |
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01/24/2008 04:26:40 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by MeganW:
Originally posted by pix-al:
If you are REALLY sure you don't want to be faffing with additional/different lenses, Why not consider on of these:
Canon G9
Or, the earlier Canon G7 if you can still get them?
All the convenience of a point and shoot, but with a hot shoe which will allow you to add a nice external flash for more power (And the ability to bounce your light) for indoor shots. Cheaper than a DSLR too.
You will also get much more range than you will with a Kit Lens on the starter DSLR's...
Worth a look I think. |
Will that be as fast as a dSLR? Shutter lag and an inability to take multiple shots in a row are the main reason that I was getting a dSLR. Will the Canon G9 or G7 do that? |
Nothing will be as fast as a DSLR, that is why they cost more, however the lack of "Speed" you are reffering to (Shot to shot time) on your current camera is probably due to the camera needing to charge the flash back up before it will let you take the next shot, so anything with an external hotshoe flash will be better, BUT... even some hot shoe flashes need up to 7 secs to recycle after a full power burst...
It is not just about the camera here, it is about the conditions you are shooting in, and knowing how to get the best out of your camera.
A DSLR plus external flash, will soon run into a lot of $$$. For someone who does not intend to take full advantage of the benefits of a DSLR, that is a big spend, hence I suggested the G9/G7 as a much cheaper alternative. |
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01/24/2008 05:56:20 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
But seriously, get em in your hands and try them out in the store. |
That's one thing you really should do, I agree. I also agree with the advise of looking at the G9 instead of a dSLR. You might also want to look at the Fuji F30. Optically not as good as the G9, but has a low shutter lag and low noise levels at higher ISO, which is great for indoor use. Not hotshoe however, but you will not have to use the flash as often
DPreview for the F30
But again, go to a store and try them, it's very different from the G9. |
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01/24/2008 08:15:22 AM · #23 |
Well I've never used Auto on my D200- I don't even know if it has it because I shoot in either manual or shutter priority. My Olympus I shot in Auto or portrait mode when I first had it. Got some awsome pictures- mainly my re-enactment pictures.
I don't think you could go wrong with the Canon or Nikon.
I'd learn how to really use the camera though. It's so much more fun that way! |
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